Nalini fears threat to life, probe ordered

Chennai, May 13 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Government has appointed a committee to look into the allegations by Nalini Sriharan, who is serving life term in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, that her life was under threat in jail.

The committee headed by DIG of Prisons (Coimbatore) Govindarajan would also go into her other charges, including harassment by jail officials at the high-security Vellore Women”s Prison, where she is lodged.

In two letters addressed to the Additional Director General of Police (prisons), copies of which were released to the media by her lawyers on Wednesday, Nalini accused jail officials of torturing her.”

She also alleged her cell had not been cleaned for days and expressed fears that officials may be ‘planting’ something and ‘recover’.

On May 10, the government had informed the State Assembly that she had made calls to foreign countries, including Sri Lanka and Britain, from a mobile phone seized from her cell.

Tamil Nadu Government had rejected the plea of Nalini and three other convicts in the case for premature release, based on a report by the prison advisory board.

Nalini has been convicted on 16 counts of murder, and found guilty under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code on all counts.

She was also convicted under Section 3 of TADA and Section 120-B of the IPC, dealing with conspiracy.

Nalini”s original death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after Congress President Sonia Gandhi sought a reprieve for her after she had had a baby daughter. (ANI)

Centre allows Prabhakaran”s mother to visit India for treatment

Chennai, May 10 (ANI): The Centre has granted permission to slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Prabhakaran”s mother Parvathi Ammal to enter the country.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has allowed Parvathi conditional entry for medical treatment in Chennai, television channel reported.

The temporary visa will be for six months and her movement will remain confined to the hospital.

The Tamil Nadu Government last week recommended to the Centre to allow Parvathy to undergo medical treatment in Chennai following a request by her.

Last month, immigration officers deported Parvathi to Malaysia when she came to Tamil Nadu for treatment. This led to several questions being raised against the government.

The issue was also taken to the Madras High Court, which sought an answer from the government as to why Prabhakaran”s mother was deported.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi said he did not know of her visit. (ANI)

Centre allows Prabhakaran”s mother to visit India for treatment

Chennai, May 10 (ANI): The Centre has granted permission to slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Prabhakaran”s mother Parvathi Ammal to enter the country.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has allowed Parvathi conditional entry for medical treatment in Chennai, television channel reported.

The temporary visa will be for six months and her movement will remain confined to the hospital.

The Tamil Nadu Government last week recommended to the Centre to allow Parvathy to undergo medical treatment in Chennai following a request by her.

Last month, immigration officers deported Parvathi to Malaysia when she came to Tamil Nadu for treatment. This led to several questions being raised against the government.

The issue was also taken to the Madras High Court, which sought an answer from the government as to why Prabhakaran”s mother was deported.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi said he did not know of her visit. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu says had no role to play in Prabhakaran’s mother deportation

Chennai, Apr 19 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu Government on Monday said it had no role to play in the deportation slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) leader V Prabhakaran’s mother, Parvathi, on her arrival in India.

On Friday, Indian immigration officials deported Parvathi, immediately after she arrived from Malaysia.

Parvathi, who is suffering from paralysis, arrived here with an aide from the Malaysia to secure medical attention at a city hospital.

Responding to a Special Call Attention motion in the State Assembly, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said his government would write to the Centre on allowing her medical treatment in Chennai, if she requested.

Karunanidhi claimed that he himself was not informed about Parvathi’s visit and added that neither did the State Government have any information.

“There was no communication to the State Government from her or those who had arranged her Indian trip from Malaysia. All the communication was between her and the Centre,” Karunanidhi said.

“If she insists on coming to Tamil Nadu for treatment, we are ready to consider her case and write accordingly to the Centre,” he added.

Parvathi is currently undergoing treatment in Malaysia.

Karunanidhi informed the House, in 2003, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (AIADMK) Government led by Jayalalithaa had written to the Centre demanding blacklisting of Parvathi and her husband, Veraswami demanded banning their re-entry into the country.

Prabakaran’s parents came to India in 1983.

Both Parvathi and Veraswami had left Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchrappli for Sri Lanka in the wake of ceasefire in the island nation in 2003.

Members demanded that Parvathi be allowed medical treatment in the country on humanitarian ground.

Speaking on the motion, Congress leader D. Sudarsanam argued there was nothing wrong in the deportation since Parvathi was brought to Chennai with ulterior political motives.

“Vaiko and Nedumaran had known about her arrival while the Chief Minister of the State had no idea about. It was part of a cheap political campaign,” he said.

AIADMK members were not present during the discussion. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu says had no role to play in Prabhakaran’s mother deportation

Chennai, Apr 19 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu Government on Monday said it had no role to play in the deportation slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) leader V Prabhakaran’s mother, Parvathi, on her arrival in India.

On Friday, Indian immigration officials deported Parvathi, immediately after she arrived from Malaysia.

Parvathi, who is suffering from paralysis, arrived here with an aide from the Malaysia to secure medical attention at a city hospital.

Responding to a Special Call Attention motion in the State Assembly, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said his government would write to the Centre on allowing her medical treatment in Chennai, if she requested.

Karunanidhi claimed that he himself was not informed about Parvathi’s visit and added that neither did the State Government have any information.

“There was no communication to the State Government from her or those who had arranged her Indian trip from Malaysia. All the communication was between her and the Centre,” Karunanidhi said.

“If she insists on coming to Tamil Nadu for treatment, we are ready to consider her case and write accordingly to the Centre,” he added.

Parvathi is currently undergoing treatment in Malaysia.

Karunanidhi informed the House, in 2003, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagam (AIADMK) Government led by Jayalalithaa had written to the Centre demanding blacklisting of Parvathi and her husband, Veraswami demanded banning their re-entry into the country.

Prabakaran’s parents came to India in 1983.

Both Parvathi and Veraswami had left Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchrappli for Sri Lanka in the wake of ceasefire in the island nation in 2003.

Members demanded that Parvathi be allowed medical treatment in the country on humanitarian ground.

Speaking on the motion, Congress leader D. Sudarsanam argued there was nothing wrong in the deportation since Parvathi was brought to Chennai with ulterior political motives.

“Vaiko and Nedumaran had known about her arrival while the Chief Minister of the State had no idea about. It was part of a cheap political campaign,” he said.

AIADMK members were not present during the discussion. (ANI)

Nalini Sriharan to challenge government”s order in Madras High Court

Chennai, Mar 31 (ANI): Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi”s assassin Nalini Sriharan is expected to move the Madras High Court challenging the decision of the Tamil Nadu Government that had rejected her plea for premature release.

Nalini informed about this to her lawyer P Pugazhendhi, who met her at Vellore”s high security women”s special prison on Tuesday evening.

Shocked to hear the state government”s decision, Pugazhendhi said the government has gone by a report of the Royapetta Police Station, which had anticipated law and order problem in the area if she was freed asserting that the Prison Advisory Board (PAB) committee members, who considered her premature release request, had given a report in Nalini”s favour.

Pugazhendi further said Nalini was ”shocked and disappointed” at the government”s decision as she was expecting a favourable report.

“Except that she had not admitted the guilt, what evidence is there that Nalini”s attitude has not changed? Even now, she says she has nothing to do with the crime and that she was a victim of circumstances,” he added.

The Tamil Nadu Government had on Monday accepted the recommendations of the Prison Advisory Board to refuse premature release to Nalini Sriharan.

The Karunanidhi- led Dravida Munettra Kazhagam (DMK) Government had on March 11 said it would take a final call on Sriharan”s plea in two weeks time.

The counsel for the State Government is said to have given this assurance to the Madras High Court.

Earlier on March 10, a two-judge bench of the high court, comprising Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Justice K.K. Sasidharan, had asked the State Government to submit their report on March 11.

Tamil Nadu Government advocate G.Desingu claimed the Government had just received the report and sought time to study it.
Nalini, who is undergoing life imprisonment, is lodged in the Vellore Central Jail.

In her petition, she said she was entitled for release as far as 2005, as she had completed 14 years in jail.

Nalini was convicted on 16 counts of murder, and found guilty under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code on all counts. She was also convicted under Section 3 of TADA and Section 120-B of the IPC, dealing with conspiracy.

Sriharan”s original death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after Sonia Gandhi sought a reprieve for Nalini after she had a baby daughter.

In September 2009, Nalini went on a hunger strike demanding that she be set free. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu Government rejects calls for Nalini Sriharan”s premature release

Chennai, Mar 29 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu Government on Monday accepted the recommendations of the Prison Advisory Board to refuse premature release to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi”s assassin, Nalini Sriharan.

The Tamil Nadu Government was to deliver a verdict on Nalini”s premature release on Monday.

The Karunanidhi- led Dravida Munettra Kazhagam (DMK) Government had on March 11 said it would take a final call on Sriharan”s plea in two weeks time.

The counsel for the State Government is said to have given this assurance to the Madras High Court.

The state government also submitted the Prison Advisory Board report to the High Court.

“Hopefully, we should be able to report the decision before March 29, but the truth of the matter is the government has asked for certain additional details from the board and collector,” said P S Raman, Advocate General of the Tamil Nadu Government.

“For some factors, beyond the government”s control, if the decision making process takes a little longer we may have to ask the court for some more time,” added Raman.

Earlier on March 10, a two-judge bench of the high court, comprising Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Justice K.K. Sasidharan, had asked the State Government to submit their report on March 11.

Tamil Nadu Government advocate G.Desingu claimed the Government had just received the report and sought time to study it.
Nalini, who is undergoing life imprisonment, is lodged in the Vellore Central Jail.

In her petition, she said she was entitled for release as far as 2005, as she had completed 14 years in jail.

Nalini was convicted on 16 counts of murder, and found guilty under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code on all counts. She was also convicted under Section 3 of TADA and Section 120-B of the IPC, dealing with conspiracy.

Sriharan”s original death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after Sonia Gandhi sought a reprieve for Nalini after she had a baby daughter.

In September 2009, Nalini went on a hunger strike demanding that she be set free. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu Government to pronounce judgement on Nalini”s release

Chennai, Mar 29 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu Government will in all probability deliver a verdict on the premature release of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi”s assassin Nalini Sriharan on Monday.

However, it has been reported that the Karunanidhi- led Dravida Munettra Kazhagam (DMK) Government might take some more time in pronouncing its decision as Karunanidhi had earlier hinted that any decision
on such a sensitive matter has to be taken with care.
The State Government had on March 11 said it would take a final call on Sriharan”s plea in two weeks time.
The counsel for the State Government is said to have given this assurance to the Madras High Court.
The state government also submitted the Prison Advisory Board report to the High Court.
“Hopefully, we should be able to report the decision before March 29, but the truth of the matter is the government has asked for certain additional details from the board and collector,” said P S Raman, Advocate General of the Tamil Nadu Government.

“For some factors, beyond the government”s control, if the decision making process takes a little longer we may have to ask the court for some more time,” added Raman.

Earlier on March 10, a two-judge bench of the high court, comprising Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Justice K.K. Sasidharan, had asked the State Government to submit their report on March 11.

Tamil Nadu Government advocate G.Desingu claimed the Government had just received the report and sought time to study it.

Nalini, who is undergoing life imprisonment, is lodged in the Vellore Central Jail.
In her petition, she said she was entitled for release as far as 2005, as she had completed 14 years in jail.

Nalini was convicted on 16 counts of murder, and found guilty under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code on all counts. She was also convicted under Section 3 of TADA and Section 120-B of the IPC, dealing with conspiracy.

Sriharan”s original death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after Sonia Gandhi sought a reprieve for Nalini after she had a baby daughter.

In September 2009, Nalini went on a hunger strike demanding that she be set free. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu Government cracks the whip on offending drug retailers

Chennai, Mar 26 (ANI): The Tamil Nadu Government is pursuing tougher action against offending drug retailers, following the seizure of expired drugs by police in Chennai.

Police recently raided the godown of a leading drugs company in Chennai, and seized expired medicines worth Rs ten million.
Reportedly, the medicines that were seized include mostly vitamin pills, pregnancy women pills, cough syrups and injections.

“The question of spurious drugs and recycling of expired drugs is a very serious issue and this particular issue has been brought to the government and to the people concerned through our informants. The Department immediately plunged into action and we have booked cases against the culprits under the drugs and cosmetics act. We have also filed cases against them in the court,” said Tamil Nadu Principal Secretary for Health and Family Welfare Department V K Subburaj.

“People involving in the production of spurious chemicals, distribution of spurious drugs, the maximum punishment is life imprisonment and the maximum fine amount is (Rupees) ten lakhs or one million. The Government of India has amended this recently and strict punishment will be taken against the defaulters,” he added.

“So, definitely we will book all these and we will try to give maximum punishment by following all the procedures,” Subburaj claimed.

Till date, at least ten persons have been arrested in connection with repackaging and selling expired drugs in the city.

The State”s Drug Control Authority carried out surprise raids in around 300 pharmaceutical establishments, consisting of medical shops and small companies.

Subsequently, two shops were sealed in the city. (ANI)

Supreme Court issues notices to Karnataka, Centre on Sivasamudram project

New Delhi, Aug.21 (ANI): A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Karnataka Government and the Centre to reply within three weeks to an allegation by the Tamil Nadu Government that the Karnataka Government has unilaterally decided to go ahead with Sivasamudram Hydero power project in the Cauvery Basin by violating the directions of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

The bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam issued the notices.

Senior advocate K Parasaran mentioned the Tamil Nadu Government’s application in which it alleged that instead of putting the control of the project under a neutral agency, the Karnataka Government was executing it through Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd.

Counsel for the Tamil Nadu Government submitted that the Karnataka Governmenty has not accepted the direction of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal that the project has to go through a neutral body like National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC).

It said the Centre had come out with a proposal Cauvery-Mettur Hydro Electrical Project in 1998 by which four projects — ivasamudram, Mekadatu, Rasimanal and Hogenekkal-were to be executed by the NHPC.

While the Sivasamudram and the Mekadatu projects fall within the territory of Karnataka, the Rasimanal and the Hogenekkal projects come under Tamil Nadu.

The Tamil Nadu Government has sought a direction to the Centre to execute all the four hydro projects as a package through NHPC or any other appropriate central power generation utility so as to derive maximum benefits of power potential.(ANI)

Tamil Nadu halves interest rate on non-farm credit

Chennai July 7 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government has cut by half the interest rate on non-agricultural loans disbursed by cooperative banks, bringing it to 6 percent, and waived penal interest to reduce these banks’ non-performing assets (NPAs).
“The government has come to this decision after the appeals to waive the non-farm loans. Waiver of such loans is not possible as they were issued against securities,” Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan told the assembly Tuesday.

Borrowers can choose to make one-time settlement or in three instalments after paying 25 percent of their outstanding amount upfront, he said.

The state government’s decision will benefit around 132,000 debtors owing a total of around Rs.709.51 crore.

The state will bear four percent of the interest loss due to the waiver and the balance two percent will have to be borne by the banks.

A total of Rs.251.21 crore is being forgone, Anbazhagan said.

Tata Steel – Tata Steel arm wins Rs 183.7 mn Chennai water contract

Tata Steel – Tata Steel arm wins Rs 183.7 mn Chennai water contract

Jamshedpur Utilities & Services Company (Jusco), a Tata Steel`s 100% subsidiary has won a leak detection and rectification order for various divisions of Chennai city from the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) for Rs 183.7 million, reports Financial Express.

The contract is to be completed in 18 months and would be funded 35% by the ministry of urban development, 15% by the Tamil Nadu government under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and 50% by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (CMWSSB).

Indian envoys meet Sri Lankan President

Colombo, May 21 (ANI): India’s National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon on Thursday met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and sought a political solution to the Tamil question.

Narayanan and Menon, who met Rajapaksa at a close door breakfast meeting at his Temple Trees residence here, offered India’s help in the reconstruction effort following elimination of the LTTE.

According to officials, both sides have discussed post-conflict reconstruction in Sri Lanka following the defeat of the LTTE. There is also a demand for the death certificate of Prabhakaran, which may be used as part of the investigation into Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination case.

The war between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government lasted for over three decades and claimed over a lakh lives. It ended with the death of LTTE supremo V. Prabhakaran in a firefight in northern Sri Lanka three days ago.

India has prepared a Rs. 500 crore rehabilitation package for the displaced people in Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister has already announced a Rs. 100-crore relief package for Lankan Tamils in addition to the Rs. 25 crore aid given by Tamil Nadu government.

India has been asking Sri Lanka to take political steps to ensure “effective devolution of power” so that Tamils in the island nation could live with dignity.

Ahead of their visit, Narayanan met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and briefed him about the developments in Sri Lanka.

Narayanan said that India’s primary concern is to ensure that Sri Lankan Tamil civilians are taken care of. (ANI)

Sedition charges politically motivated: Vaiko

Chennai, April 10 (IANS) MDMK leader Vaiko Friday termed the Tamil Nadu government’s move to charge him with sedition for his remarks in support of the Tamil Tigers’ chief as ‘politically motivated’.

‘While my statement indicating a bloodbath in Tamil Nadu if (banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam leader) Prabhakaran is harmed does not mean sedition. I need no certificate from the M. Karunanidhi government for patriotism and these charges are politically motivated,’ Vaiko told reporters.

Surrounded by supporters decrying the state, central and Sri Lankan governments for allegedly killing ‘innocent Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka’, Vaiko expressed scorn over the threat of arrest.

‘Threats of arrests by the cowardly (Tamil Nadu Chief Minister) Karunanidhi using the alibi of Tamil sentiments to continue in power and aiding the collaboration of the Indian government with Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse’s murderous regime, do not bother me,’ Vaiko added.

Madras HC decides case sans parties; apex court frowns

New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) The Supreme Court has caught the Madras High Court deciding a civil dispute in the absence of both the feuding parties – in fact neither side knew that the case was being resolved on a particular day!

Not quite amused over the high court’s style of working, the apex court has now asked it to decide the dispute – between the Tamil Nadu government and a cement manufacturing firm – after properly hearing both sides on a date slated for the purpose.

The Supreme Court bench of Justice B.N. Agrawal and Justice G.S. Singhvi said this in a verdict released Monday.

The case relates to a bill that the Tirunelveli district collector sent to India Cements Ltd for the use of water from the Tamirabarani river for manufacturing cement in its factory on the bank of the river.

The firm moved the high court challenging the bill, and a single-judge bench of the high court Sep 6, 2006 annulled the state government’s order.

The state government subsequently challenged the order before a division bench of the high court, comprising two judges.

The court’s registry slated the government’s lawsuit for hearing tentatively in the third week of March 2008 on a day to be decided during the week keeping in view the workload of the division bench.

But the division bench on March 18, 2008 took the case out of the weekly list and proceeded to decide on it in the absence of both the parties. The division bench of the high court ruled in favour of the government, quashing its single-judge bench order in favour of the cement company.

The cement factory in turn approached the apex court.

‘The writ appeal (lawsuit) filed by the respondents (the state government) against the order of the single judge bench was taken up for hearing on March 18, 2008 from the weekly list of the court and even though none appeared for either of the parties, the division bench allowed the same (the government’s appeal),’ the apex court bench noted.

‘It is not in dispute that the writ appeal filed by the respondent was not shown in the daily cause list and it was taken up from out of the weekly list without notice to the parties or their counsel and as a result none could represent the parties.

‘This being the position, the division bench was not justified in disposing of the appeal,’ the apex court ruled.

India, Sri Lanka trying to solve issue of trespassing fishermen

Chennai, April 4 (IANS) While the Sri Lankan Tamils’ issue continues to be a hot topic in Tamil Nadu ahead of the parliamentary polls, efforts are on by authorities in the island nation and in India to solve the problem of fishermen trespassing into each other’s territorial waters, sources said Saturday.

Sri Lankan diplomatic sources indicated that 23 Indian Tamil fishermen who are being held in a prison in the island may be released very soon following representations by the Tamil Nadu government to free them quickly.

‘We have asked our government to expedite the release of Indian fishermen as quickly as possible, respecting the wishes of the government here. If they are found completely innocent, they would reach home very soon,’ a Sri Lankan diplomatic source told IANS.

‘Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen trespassing into each others’ waters are common occurrences. Since both the nations are affected by terrorism, security measures taken by sovereign governments may occasionally hinder civilians’ lives. We understand India’s compulsions and hope it is reciprocated,’ the source said.

the Indian fishermen were reportedly caught Thursday near Sri Lanka’s ‘zero traffic high security zone’.

‘Over 190 Sri Lankan fishermen are presently in Indian jails from Tuticorin to Andhra Pradesh to the Andaman archipelago. This has been going on for ages as either side likes fish available in each other’s waters,’ the source pointed out.

He added: ‘The heightened security alerts have result in the detention of fishermen on either side of the Palk Strait by defence forces who obviously will not take chances after what has happened in Mumbai (26/11 attack). Our respective navies are always on alert near the coast.’

A state government statement Friday said that the matter had been raised at the state and central government level as well as in Colombo.

‘Efforts are underway to get cases against Rameshwaram fishermen withdrawn in Sri Lanka by Monday,’ the release said.

Meanwhile, opposition parties here continued to allege that the Sri Lankan navy was ‘kidnapping Indian fishermen close to Rameshwaram shores’. The charges, backed by statements from relatives of the detained people, are being played up in the local media.

The demand of a separate homeland for Sri Lanka’s ethnic minority put forth by the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and calls to re-annex the Kachchatheevu atoll located in the narrow expanse of sea between India and Sri Lanka that was ceded to the island in 1974 have found support on either side of Tamil Nadu’s political divide.

43000 cases booked against autos in last 3 months, say police

CHENNAI: The Chennai traffic police had booked 43,000 cases against autorickshaws for violations, including overcharging passengers and for rash
and negligent driving, additional commissioner (traffic) Md Shakeel Akthar said while speaking at a seminar on regulation of auto tariff’ organised by the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) here on Friday.

Akthar said that the police were taking strict action against traffic violations and had collected fines amounting to Rs 2 crore in the past three months, which included Rs Rs 33 lakh from autorickshaws. Pointing out that 56,300 autorickshaws and 250 share autorickshaws were plying in Chennai, he said the traffic police had booked 1.70 lakh cases against autorickshaws for various violations committed last year.

Responding to suggestions made by some of the participants in the seminar that autorickshaw stops’, like bus stops, could be formed and the display of name, address details of the driver and owner behind the driver’s seat could be mandatory in all autorickshaws, Akthar said the ideas would be taken up for consideration at a joint meeting of the traffic police and the transport department.

Transport commissioner S Machendranathan said that the introduction of a prepaid autorickshaw system in more places would help minimise violations, overcharging, as well as rude behaviour by autorickshaw drivers. The system was being implemented at the Chennai Central railway station and Koyambedu bus terminus and it would be introduced at the Egmore railway station soon, he added.

N L Rajah, advocate and CAG trustee, said that the Delhi government was successful in converting petrol and diesel-operated autorickshaws to CNG-run vehicles, which had resulted in reducing pollution levels. The Tamil Nadu government should also take steps to reduce air pollution caused by autorickshaws, he stressed.

P Mahalingam, a road safety campaigner, who made a presentation on a study conducted by Anna University, said that many foreign countries were considering distance and time of travel to fix autorickshaw tariff, to make the fare reasonable for drivers and passengers. The time factor was not being considered in India, he added.

Stating that about 33% of autorickshaws in Chennai were rented vehicles and another 27% were being owned by private financiers, he said that the authorities should consider public transport tariff calculation methods, which was being practised in other countries.

SC dismisses contempt petition against Karunanidhi, Baalu

New Delhi, Apr 1 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the contempt petition filed against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Union Transport Minister TR Baalu by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in connection with the October 1, 2007 state shut-down.

A bench of Justices BN Aggarwal and GS Singhvi dismissed the petition on the ground that the AIADMK failed to establish the allegation.

The AIADMK had filed a contempt petition alleging that the Tamil Nadu government had organised the state shut-down in support of their demand for the speedy completion of the Setusamudram project despite the apex court restraining it from doing so.

Baalu was accused of making derisive allegations against judges of the Supreme Court, questioning their integrity.

On March 25, the Supreme Court had reserved its verdict in the case, which also involved four others.

The apex court, in a special sitting on a Sunday, had issued show cause notices to Karunanidhi, Baalu, State Chief Secretary LK Tripathi, State DGP, the State Transport Minister and the State Transport Secretary for not following the directions of the court.

Baalu had made derogatory remarks against Justice Aggarwal for passing the orders on a Sunday.

While reserving its verdict, the SC had reacted to Baalu’s remarks saying, “It shows utter ignorance of the man (Baalu). For the last 50 years, courts function on Sundays also. People who are governing the system don’t know its functioning. They are intellectual giants.”

The apex court had also held that it has become a practice for many persons holding high positions to insult the judiciary. (ANI)

Self-help group in Tamil Nadu making women self-reliant

Krishnakiri (Tamil Nadu), Mar 23 (ANI): A self-help group has been training rural women in sari designing in Tamil Nadu to make them self-reliant.

Under patronage of the Tamil Nadu Government and the Central Government, a non- government organization ‘Hosur Development Foundation’ is running the self-help group for the socio-economic development of women and their empowerment.

A group of 140 women are working in this self-help group for making designs on the saris.

“We are making designs on saris and tailoring it. The Central and the State Government have provided their assistance to us. Earlier, we faced quite a lot of difficulties, but now we are earning 2000 rupees per month. We are hoping to earn more,” said Seetha, member of the self-help group.

With the help of government subsidies the women are successfully engaged in the jobs.We are providing the State and the Central Government subsidies for the members.

They can use it for their economic growth, cultural development and economic status,” said Arumugam, Assistant Project Officer, self-help group, Krishnakiri District.

Besides providing employment, the women in the self-help group are being motivated to run their own business.

Various welfare schemes introduced by the UPA Government are thus gaining popularity with the people living below the poverty line in the rural India. By Jai Kumar (ANI)

Rural women take to ‘chapatti’ business in Tamil Nadu

Krishnakari (Tamil Nadu), Mar 21 (ANI): Rural women in Tamil Nadu are independently participating in the business of making chapattis under the guidance of self-help groups.

The Tamil Nadu Government and the Central Government have implemented the Mahalir Sangam in partnership with a non-government organization with the objective of improving the socio-economic condition of women and ensuring their empowerment.

A group of 20 women are working under the self-help group Shivaskathi Mahalir Sangam.

“We have received an order of 3000 chapattis from the TVS Company near Kothandapalli. Earlier, we used to face lot of difficulties, but now we are earning 2000 out of these 3000 chapattis. We have received 22650 rupees from the Central Government funds as the loan from the banks,” said Laxmi, member of the Shivasakti Women Group.

They have received loans from the banks with the help of which they have been successfully running their kitchen business and have managed to supply to corporate companies located near the Hosur industrial estate.

“We have come over here to let people know about these self-help groups. Here Shivasakti Mahavir Sangam has been provided with central assistance of rupees 5,00,000 with a subsidy of rupees 2,50,000 out of it have been provided,” said Uma Maheshwari, Deputy Developmental Officer, Hosur, Krishnakari District.

The Central Government is providing training to such women and motivating them to start their own business, besides providing employment for others. (ANI)